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How specific is CRISPR/Cas9 really?

Henriette O'Geen1, Abigail S Yu1, David J Segal1

  • 1Genome Center, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.

Current Opinion in Chemical Biology
|October 31, 2015
PubMed

Insights

CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing shows conflicting reports on its specificity. This review deciphers claims about its precision for research and therapeutic applications.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • RNA-guided nucleases, including CRISPR/Cas9, are vital tools in research and therapy.
  • Early studies produced conflicting data regarding the precision of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing.
  • This led to the development of strategies to enhance specificity and detect off-target mutations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and interpret the contradictory findings on CRISPR/Cas9 system specificity.
  • To clarify the precision of CRISPR/Cas9 for genome engineering applications.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on CRISPR/Cas9 specificity.
  • Analysis of studies reporting on both off-target events and high specificity.
  • Interpretation of conflicting data to resolve discrepancies.

Main Results:

  • Early concerns about CRISPR/Cas9 promiscuity contrasted with later findings of high specificity.
  • Various methods have been developed to assess and improve editing precision.
  • The field has grappled with understanding the nuances of CRISPR/Cas9 targeting.

Conclusions:

  • CRISPR/Cas9 can be a highly specific genome-editing tool when properly utilized.
  • Understanding and mitigating off-target effects remain critical for safe therapeutic development.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the factors influencing CRISPR/Cas9 specificity.

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